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Less than a week after mutually parting ways with Jalen Green, UK is doing the same with Joshua Christopher.
According to CatsPause, UK is halting its pursuit of Christopher, so he’s no longer an option for the Wildcats’ 2020 class.
Among Christopher’s five finalists, which were announced in late July, were the Wildcats, Missouri Tigers, Arizona State Sun Devils, UCLA Bruins, and Michigan Wolverines.
Ever since Kentucky offered a scholarship to Christopher over the summer, the Wildcats got the most buzz for 247 Sports’ seventh-ranked player in 2020, including several predictions at Rivals and 247.
But that changed when UK took a commitment from five-star guard Terrence Clarke, who reclassified from 2021 into 2020. Since then, rumors have run rampant that UK would part ways with both Christopher and Green.
Initially, Arizona State was viewed as the biggest competition, as the Sun Devils signed Christopher’s brother, Caleb Christopher, as a Class of 2019 recruit. UCLA has also picked up some recent buzz for the California native.
However, Christopher’s other brother, Patrick Christopher, is the godbrother of former Kentucky star Tayshaun Prince, who remains close with the family.
That connection was a big reason why Joshua grew up a die-hard Kentucky fan.
“I would take Josh to New York to the St. John’s camp with Steve Lavin and he would wear Kentucky hoodies. He took his class picture with a Kentucky jersey. One year, he had a UK birthday cake,” Christopher’s father told CatsPause over the summer.
It’s been quite the year for Christopher on the AAU circuit. He was a Second-Team All-EYBL pick by D1 Circuit during the Nike travel season, Christopher was named as one of the top performers of the July evaluation period by 247 Sports for his play at Peach Jam.
It’s unfortunate this won’t work out, but that’s how it goes sometimes in recruiting.
With Christopher now off the board, UK will focus on 2020 guards Cade Cunningham and potentially Karim Mane to help fill out the backcourt.
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